The Other Stories | Sci-Fi, Horror, Thriller, WTF Stories

The dark and brooding Howie is changed forever after a failed suicide attempt causes him brain damage. His father believes that something wicked remains in the boy’s mind, and those suspicions are confirmed after the boy gifts him a strange, painted rock—a paperweight. Written by A.L. King Narrated by Persephone Rose Edited by Karl Hughes With music by Umcorps and Thom Robson With sound effects provided by Zapsplat.com The artwork for today’s theme is by Luke Spooner at Carrion House It is important to note that the character of Howie in my tale was on a sinister path well before he suffered cognitive impairments. Please do not take this spooky little story as a reason to see or treat those who have suffered brain damage any differently. No matter who we are and what struggles we face, we should try to show each other patience, kindness, and respect.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A struggling artist turned gallery owner launches his attempt to become remembered. Written by Dan Howarth Narrated by Josh Curran Edited by Karl Hughes With music by Umcorps and Thom Robson And sound effects provided by Zapsplat.com and Freesound.org Dan Howarth is a writer from the North West of England. He has co-edited three anthologies, the most recent of these, Pareidolia was launched by Black Shuck Books in July 2019. His chapbook Dulce Et Decorum Est is available from Demain Press. Dan can be found on Twitter via @danhowarth20.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

48.1 To Hear The Minstrel Play When dad tells you not to rummage around the junk room, it’s usually for a reason… a deadly reason.  Written by John Campbell & Luke Kondor Narrated by Justin Fife Edited by Karl Hughes With music by Mellarn and Thom Robson And sound effects provided by Zapsplat.com Check out more of Luke’s work at LukeKondor.com and check out John’s writings at Archaeodad.com.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Welcoming in our new theme with news and survey giveaways.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A young woman seeks eternal youth and beauty through technological means, though all may not be as it seems. Written by Matthew C. Butcher Narrated by Alexandra Elroy Edited by Karl Hughes With music by Velleitie and Thom Robson From the H&C Vault! To get more of these and to help us to keep making the show, head over to Patreon.com/HawkAndCleaver.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Flying to the remote jungle to collect his deceased father’s body, a grieving son experiences strange visions on the airline flight over. Written by John Crinan & Hannah Mariska Narrated by Grant Patrizio Edited by Karl Hughes With music by Thom Robson And sound effects were provided by Freesound.Org Hannah Mariska is a London based writer. Find her on Twitter @hannah_mariska. John Crinan is a writer and podcaster. Check out more of his work at www.johncrinan.com or on Twitter, @johncrinan.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today’s art and stories and were the winners of our Facebook group Flash Fiction competition.  Head over to the Facebook group now to keep up with the good times. https://www.facebook.com/groups/hawkandcleaver/ E.L.F 2006 Written by Owen Bailey-Burne Narrated by Josh Curran Christmas Surprise Written by Scott Burgher Narrated by Jasmine Arch Claus Is Coming To Town Written by John Shields Narrated by Persephone Rose Snowflakes Written by John Shields Narrated by Luke Kondor Edited by Karl Hughes With artwork by Richard Reynolds With music and sound effects by ToiletRollTube and Lena Orsa  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A dead body is found at a holiday camp, sparking the staff to not only have to answer questions but start asking some of their own. Written by Dan Howarth Narrated by Josh Curran Edited by Karl Hughes With music by Andrew KN and Thom Robson And sound effects provided Freesound.org Dan Howarth is a writer from the North West of England. He has co-edited three anthologies, the most recent of these, Pareidolia was launched by Black Shuck Books in July 2019. His chapbook Dulce Et Decorum Est is available from Demain Press. Dan can be found on Twitter via @danhowarth20  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

When a motivational speaker realises he’s no longer true to himself he must take drastic steps to recapture his authenticity. Written by Michael David Wilson Narrated by Persephone Rose Edited by Karl Hughes With music by Inspector J, Spheriá, Chris Zabriskie, and Thom Robson. And sound effects provided by Freesound.org Michael David Wilson is a professional writer, editor, podcaster, and the founder of thisishorror.co.uk. His forthcoming novella, The Girl in the Video, will be published later this year by Perpetual Motion Machine Publishing. Connect with Michael at www.michaeldavidwilson.co.uk or @wilsonthewriter on Twitter.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As the winter solstice approaches, the masked boys of the northern villages prepare to ward off the siege of the dark spirits. In one village though, there is only one boy. Will it be enough or will the darkness ravage the land? Written by Kev Harrison Narrated by Justin Fife Edited by Karl Hughes With music by Andrew KN and Thom Robson And sound effects provided by Freesound.Org Kev Harrison is a writer of dark fiction, living in Lisbon, Portugal. His latest release, Cinders of a Blind Man Who Could See, is available now and his website, www.kevharrisonfiction.com is the place for all the latest news on his writing.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A wave goodbye to those from beyond the grave, and a big sloppy welcome to those hidden behind their masks. Links! The Facebook Group The Survey  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Stephanie died inside a long time ago. A victim of domestic abuse she simply exists from one day to the next. Written by Andy Morris Narrated by Alexandra Elroy Edited by Karl Hughes With music by Spheriá, Myuu, and Thom Robson Check out more of Andy’s work here.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

If you could never be killed, how would you use your gift? Saving lives? Making a difference to mankind? Or would you join the Callaghan Brothers Space Circus and entertain the masses by being killed over and over again for your adoring fans? Written by J. Askew Narrated by Erika Ventura Edited by Karl Hughes With music by Andrew KN and Thom Robson And sound effects provided by Freesound.org J. Askew enjoys exploring mental health issues, sexual identity, and disability through sci-fi and horror. She is a member of the Horror Writers Association and aims to be a leading female author in her genres. She has been published in Awakenings Literary Magazine and Dead Man's Tome. Her debut novel, Green Again, which explores mental health and neurodiverse people at the end of the world, is currently in editing and will be released in 2020. In the meantime she is enjoying writing short stories that show the strength of those with alternate needs in a sci-fi or horror setting. She is a member of the LGBTQ community and identifies as bisexual. J. Askew tweets at @J_Askew_Author.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Even as a ghost, it may be prove hard to escape the clutch of your murderer. Written and narrated by Jasmine Arch Edited by Karl Hughes With music by Andrew KN and Thom Robson And sound effects provided by Zapsplat.com and Freesound.org Jasmine Arch is a poet, writer, narrator and artist with chaos for brains. Connect with her on Twitter @jaye_arch.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

"My son, wherefore seek'st thou thy face thus to hide?" "Look, father, the Erl-King is close by our side!" Written by Elana Gomel Narrated by Alexandra Elroy Edited by Karl Hughes With music by Chris Zabriskie and Zapsplat.com And sound effects provided by Freesoung.org Elana Gomel is the author of six non-fiction books published by Routledge, Macmillan and others and of numerous articles on subjects ranging from science fiction and fantasy to posthumanism and Victorian literature. Her fantasy and science fiction stories appeared in Apex, Timeless Tales, Mythic, The Fantasist, and other magazines; and in anthologies The Apex Book of World SF, People of the Book, Zion’s Fiction, Ink Stains, Transcendent and others. Her collection of stories Un/home was published by Alban Lake in 2018. She is the author of three fantasy and science fiction novels: A Tale of Three Cities (2013) The Hungry Ones (2018), and The Cryptids (2019). The fairy-tale-based novel Nightwood is scheduled to come out this year. She can be found at www.citiesoflightanddarkness.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.